Scope and Content: In 1999, the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s (MCC) Folk Arts and Heritage Program succeeded the Folklife and Ethnic Arts Program, 1987-1992. Since then it has documented, presented, and supported cultural expression based on shared ethnicity, religious belief, occupational tradition, or sense of place. It identifies and documents craftspeople, performers, and cultural specialists; and seeks to help sustain the practice of tradition where they live and to increase appreciation of their artistry within the community and beyond. The program has established an ongoing regimen of documentary fieldwork, provided direct support to individual artists through Artist Fellowships and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships, and created visibility for traditional artists through print media, radio broadcasts, and bookings at regional folk festivals. The collection generated by the Folk Arts and Heritage Program comprises unique primary source materials (primarily audio recordings, visual documentation, and interviews) documenting the traditional culture, beliefs, occupational skills, and expressive traditions of cultural communities from all across Massachusetts. Series consists of materials generated by folklore field research conducted by the MCC staff folklorist, interns, and contracted professional folklorists and photographers. Field research focuses on the traditional and vernacular music, dance, crafts, and material culture of the people of Massachusetts, from long-settled to new immigrant communities

St 1989, c 653, ss 14-16 abolished the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities and the Massachusetts Arts Lottery Council, combining their functions in the MCC, effective 1990, within the office of the state treasurer. The gubernatorially-appointed council is mandated to review facilities, activities, and needs of public and private institutions in the Commonwealth and to fund programs concerned with the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. The council pursues this mission through a combination of grant programs, partnerships, and services for nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists. The council’s functions are currently described in MGLA c 10, ss 52-58

Related catalog records:
AFS Folklore Collection database
Container list
AchiveGrid
OCLC

Arrangement:
Items arranged first by individual fieldworker and then chronologically within each smaller grouping.

At the item-level, titles include a unique identifier which includes the initials of the field worker or intern, the year in which the subject file was created, and a number which indicated the subject’s order in the interviews conducted for that particular year. Folders are arranged within this scheme.

Conditions Governing Access:
This series has no restrictions to access.

Related Collections
Massachusetts folklife interview files. AF10/870X
Massachusetts folklife audiocassettes. AF10/871X

Scope and Content: The Massachusetts Geographic Board was established by the governor at the request of the United States Geographic Board to prepare an accurate listing of Massachusetts place names.  This series was created during the compilation of research for the list and in response to requests for information.  The files of Allen Chamberlain, chairman of the board, and Ellen Burrill, secretary of the board, contain incoming correspondence and carbon copies of outgoing correspondence, newsclippings, and minutes of meetings.
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Scope and Content: The Joint Committee on Federal Financial Assistance, a standing committee of the General Court, considers all matters concerning receipt of aid from the federal government, joint resolutions relative to memorializing the Congress of the United States or other federal agencies or officials, and other matters referred.  Pursuant to MGLA c 29, s 6B (St 1981, c 351, s 199 as amended), the committee receives for review proposals from state agencies applying for federal grants or participation in federally assisted programs under federal law.  Series is created to administer such review.
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Scope and Content: The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) was established by executive order in 1975 as an independent state agency (though placed within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance) funded by the federal government to work with the Commonwealth to better support persons with developental disabilities and their families. The council assists the Commonwealth in carrying out its requirements for participation in P.L. 106-402 (Developmental Disabilities Act of 2000), precursor and successor legislation, or in any federal grant program that would provide funds for services to developmentally disabled individuals. It serves as the designated State Agency under P.L. 106-402, and receives those funds made available to the Commonwealth as above.  The council  develops and submits a State Plan including the specifications of federal and state priority area activities, and has the final authority in making grants under the State Plan. The process for reviewing and awarding grants is conducted in accordance with federal program standards.
Arrangement: Arranged by grantee, in rough grant number/chronological order
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Scope and Content: The Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission was established by Resolves 1929, c 35 to plan the Commonwealth’s celebration the following year of the 300th anniversary of the colony’s founding.  The main official commemoration, arranged by the commission, was the Great Meeting at the State Tribune erected on the northwest corner of Boston Common, held July 15, 1930. Files include lists of and correspondence regarding ushers for the event, tickets and invitation, parade instructions, and reviewing stand plans. –Related series: Parker, Herbert, 1856-1939. Papers, 1930-1931 ((M-Ar)P001X)
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Scope and Content: The Division of Administrative Law Appeals was established within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance as the Division of Hearings (or Hearing) Officers by St 1973, c 1229 and acquired its present name under St 1983, c 683.
Arrangement: Arranged by docket number
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Scope and Content: The Joint Committee on Commerce and Labor, a standing committee of the General Court, considers all matters concerning commercial, industrial, and mercantile establishments; industrial development; consumer protection; discrimination in employment; mobile home parks; and other matters referred.  It drafts, reviews, and holds hearings on proposed legislation.  Hearing files are compiled to document hearings, including preparation, hearing proper, and subsequent actions. –Files are organized by date of hearing, with multiple bills on the same subject or subjects often heard together on the same day. Files may contain hearing schedules; petitions, statements, and correspondence supporting or opposing proposed legislation; testimony; background materials including reports, memorandums, and copies of laws and legal files; and House and Senate draft and final bills and draft amendments, with accompanying bill analysis.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Files for 1978-1984 lacking; 1986, 1990, 1996, 1998 chiefly lacking
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Scope and Content: The Joint Committee on Education, Arts, and Humanities (Joint Committee on Education to 1988), a standing committee of the Massachusetts General Court, considers all matters concerning education, and other matters referred.  Hearing files are compiled to document hearings, including preparation, hearing proper, and subsequent actions.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Files for 1992 lacking
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Scope and Content: The Joint Committee on Election Laws considers all matters concerning elections, election laws, and other matters referred.  It drafts, reviews, and holds hearings on proposed legislation.  Hearing files are compiled to document hearings, including preparation, hearing proper, and subsequent actions.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Box 1: 1988-1989; Box 2: 1989-1991
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Scope and Content: The Joint Committee on Federal Financial Assistance, a standing committee of the General Court, considers all matters concerning receipt of aid from the federal government, joint resolutions relative to memorializing the Congress of the United States or other federal agencies or officials, and other matters referred.  It drafts, reviews, and holds hearings on proposed legislation.  Hearing files are compiled to document hearings, including preparation, hearing proper, and subsequent actions.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by year
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OCLC